AUCKLAND PRAISED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 685, 10 June 1929, Page 11

AUCKLAND PRAISED

CONSTRUCTIONAL EXPERT VISITS CITY BUILDING LIMIT TOO LOW “In prospects second only to Sydney in the whole Southern Hemisphere,” is how Mr. N. L. Hinks describes Auckland. Mr. Hinks is chairman of directors of Super Construction, Australasia, Ltd., and has been visiting New Zealand on business connectedwith the erection of the new theatre on Civic Square. Population is held by Mr. Hinks to be Auckland’s greatest need. “I sup- • pose that will soon be remedied,” he said iu an Interview with a Sun man on Friday, “and I am glad to note that there are few Southern Europeans coming in to your city,” Mr. Hinks advanced a few of the reasons why he held so high an opinion of Auckland.

“The city is advantageously placed,” he said. “There is a magnificent

harbour and the climate is undeniably ideal. We in Sydney have a very high opinion of New Zealand’s financial stability, though I notice you do not seem so sure of it over here.” Warming to a subject that appealed particularly to him, Mr. Hinks passed favourable judgment on the city’s buildings. “The Dilworth, and some of the insurance and hank buildings are well up to Sydney standard,” he said. “I think your City Council’s limit of 102 ft for the height of buildings is far too restrictive. Even with a limit of 165 ft, as we have in Sydney, there are complaints.” "Auckland should be complimented on its War Memorial,” asserted Mr. Hinks, “I earnestly hope that it is to be lit up at night. There is a somewhat similar building on a similar site at Albury in Australia, and it looks even more impressive at night than it does in the daytime. I think the position and general effect of the Auckland memorial is admirable.”’ Mr. Hinks is more than satisfied with the progress made on the new theatre. “I think I can safely leave it now,” he said, “hut I shall return in seven weeks when the roof girders start to arrive.” Mr. Hinks sailed on Friday for Sydney on the Marama.